Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain said: "Lord Richard's team has produced a comprehensive piece of work containing plenty of food for thought.

Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain said: "Lord Richard's team has produced a comprehensive piece of work containing plenty of food for thought.

"We will be digesting it whilst we await any representations from the Welsh Assembly Government to whom it is addressed.

"Meanwhile, I will be listening to the views of others, especially Welsh MPs, talking to Rhodri Morgan and consulting with Cabinet colleagues.

"In order to move it forward, it will be important to achieve a consensus between Westminster and Cardiff Bay.

"However, I repeat what I have already made crystal clear. First, that a referendum would be required on a Scottish model.

"Second, I welcome confirmation of the serious inadequacies of the existing electoral system.

"Third, any reforms agreed must be consistent with maintaining the existing number of Welsh parliamentary constituencies."

Ron Davies, Secretary of State for Wales during the 1997 devolution referendum, said the report was progressive.

"What I am surprised at is how radical it is and how far-reaching it is. I think that the progressive forces in Wales can get behind this.

"The question now is for the Labour Party - will the Labour Party be prepared to get behind it?"

Referring to his famous quote on the morning of the devolution referendum in 1997 that it was "a very good morning in Wales", Mr Davies added: "It is still a good morning in Wales, and it will be an even better morning in 2011 when we have a proper parliament."

Earlier this year Mr Davies left Labour and joined the left-leaning Forward Wales party.